The purpose of this chapter is to establish a process for the establishment, alteration, or dissolution of “no shooting” areas in unincorporated Jefferson County and to provide regulation of the discharge of firearms in such areas as provided in this chapter. The creation of a no shooting area shall be considered in accordance with RCW 9.41.300(2)(a) wherein counties are authorized to enact laws and ordinances restricting the discharge of firearms “where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property may be jeopardized.” County officials shall endeavor to facilitate solutions within communities to resolve concerns leading to petitions for no shooting areas. Areas considered for creation, alteration, or dissolution of a no shooting area shall be considered on an individual basis to adequately assess the motivation for the proposal and to resolve existing differences regarding an area. Creation of a no shooting area must be realistically enforceable in the area designated. [Ord. 2-07 § 1]

(1) The use of firearms by citizens pursuant to RCW 16.08.020 regarding dogs, or other animals, endangering livestock.

(2) The lawful use of a firearm by a law enforcement officer in the performance of their duties.

(3) The use of firearms to lawfully slaughter farm animals.

(4) The lawful use of force by citizens.

(5) The continued operation of legally established private or public gun club facilities or commercial shooting ranges which were established and operating prior to the enactment of the no shooting area or the development of outdoor ranges constructed in compliance with JCC 18.20.350(8). [Ord. 2-07 § 2]

It is unlawful for any person to discharge firearms in a no shooting area established by Jefferson County. This chapter shall not abridge the right of the individual guaranteed by Article I, Section 24 of the State Constitution to bear arms in defense of self or others. [Ord. 2-07 § 3]

“Firearm,” as used in this chapter, shall be defined as any device that fires or discharges a projectile using an explosive charge as a propellant and shall include, but not be limited to, pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles. [Ord. 2-07 § 4]

(1) The process for the creation, alteration, or dissolution of a no shooting area can be initiated in accordance with RCW 9.41.300, wherein counties are authorized to enact laws and ordinances restricting the discharge of firearms “where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property may be jeopardized,” by either:

(a) A petition filed by residents containing the signatures of at least 20 elector-residents of each voting precinct in the area under consideration; or

(b) A majority vote of the board of county commissioners.

(2) Petitions or requests for the creation of a no shooting area or to alter or dissolve an existing no shooting area by the Jefferson County board of commissioners shall be filed with the clerk of the board of county commissioners. The petition or request must be based on a definable threat to the public health, safety or general welfare.

(3) The petition or request must include a legal description of the proposed boundaries with: a map showing the proposed area, a written statement explaining the reasons for the petition, and a statement, where applicable, of reported incidence involving firearms in the petition area.

(4) After petition signatures have been verified by the Jefferson County auditor-elections and the board of county commissioners finds the petition warrants consideration, the county commissioners shall hold a public hearing regarding the petition or may choose to facilitate an amicable solution within the proposed area or may assign a review committee to consider the merit of the petition specific to the area under consideration. The county commissioners may have the review committee consider the petition before establishing a date for the public hearing. Treaty tribes will be contacted by the county to identify any concerns and invite their participation.

(a) The review committee shall consist of:

(i) The county sheriff or his designee.

(ii) The director of the department of community development, or his designee.

(iii) Three residents-at-large to be appointed by the county commissioners.

(iv) At least one representative of tribal interests will be invited.

(v) Representative stakeholders from the petition area as determined by the county commissioners, with the goal of including persons from all sides of any contended or questionable issue.

(b) The review committee shall consider, but is not limited to consideration of, the location, terrain and surrounding land use of the petition area. The committee shall also consider any additional instructions given by the county commissioners at the assignment of the committee. The county commissioners shall hold a public hearing on the review committee’s recommendations soon after they are received by the commission.

(5) Legal notice of the public hearing shall be published one time in the official newspaper of the county at least 10 days prior to the hearing.

(6) If the county commissioners find the formation, alteration, or dissolution of the petitioned area to be beneficial to the public health, safety or general welfare, the area shall be established, altered, or dissolved as a no shooting area by ordinance. The board of commissioners shall consider, but is not limited to considerations of, the location, terrain and surrounding land use of the petitioned area. The board of commissioners shall determine the final boundaries for the creation of a no shooting area.

(7) Public works may post signs along public roads indicating a no shooting area boundary where deemed necessary. The department of community development shall inform development and permit applicants if a parcel is within a no shooting area. [Ord. 2-07 § 5]

(1) Any person discharging a firearm in a no shooting area is guilty of a misdemeanor. It shall not be a violation of this chapter when a person discharges a firearm in accordance with the provisions of RCW 9A.16.020.

(2) Any law enforcement officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed a violation of this chapter has the authority to arrest the person.

(3) The first offense for violation of this chapter constitutes a civil penalty not to exceed $100.00. Consecutive offenses are punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed $250.00 or by confinement in the county jail for a period of not more than 90 days. [Ord. 2-07 § 6]

Enforcement of this chapter may be by any state or county law enforcement officer, state game officer, or state fish and wildlife officer. All such enforcement officers are empowered to issue citations to and/or arrest without warrant persons violating the provisions of this chapter. Said enforcement officers may serve and execute all warrants, citations and other process issued by the courts.

In addition, mailing by registered mail of such warrant, citation or other process to the last known place of residence of the offender shall be deemed as personal service upon the person charged. Said enforcement officers may seize and hold as evidence the weapon and ammunition of any person violating the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 2-07 § 7]

The area described below is hereby established as a no shooting area as provided in Article I of this chapter:

Bordered on the West by Airport Cutoff Road; on the North by Old Fort Townsend Road and the Old Fort Townsend State Park boundary; on the South by Prospect Avenue extending to Port Townsend Bay; and on the East by the Shoreline of Port Townsend Bay.

The area described below is hereby established as a no shooting area as provided in Article I of this chapter:

The northern boundary begins at the Admiralty Inlet Shoreline adjacent to northern property lines of lots in Port Ludlow #5 at the northern end of Montgomery Lane. The boundary then moves westward across the properties mentioned above along their northern property lines, crosses Oak Bay Road and continues westward along the fire hall northern property line and on west along the northern property lines of Port Ludlow #2, Area 3, at the northern end of Keefe Lane.

At the NW corner of Lot #75 on Keefe Lane the No Shooting boundary turns south along the western side of Jefferson Avenue to the northern property lines of Port Ludlow #2, Area 3 lots along Fleet Drive. The boundary then moves west and then south around the cemetery, across Swansonville Road and continues south along the western side of Talbot Way to the junction of Talbot Way and Walker Way. Here the boundary turns west along the north side of Walker Way and continues as Walker Way becomes a gravel road to the NW corner of the properties in Port Ludlow #6.

The boundary then heads generally south along the western property lines of Port Ludlow #6 to Oak Bay Road. It then turns west along the north side of Oak Bay Road, then south and then east around the Port Ludlow RV Park and commercial area to Paradise Bay Road. The boundary then turns south along the western side of Paradise Bay Road to a point opposite the end of Camber Lane, it then heads SW picking up the outside of the fairways of the Port Ludlow Golf Course staying at the outside fairway points entirely around the western, southern and the eastern portions of the golf course to the southern property lines of Fairwood Village.

The boundary then heads east along the south side of Springwood Drive and across Teal Lake Road. It then swings NE along the property lines of Teal Lake Village on the south side of Outlook Lane. The boundary then heads north along the eastern side of the Osprey Conservation Tract, which is east of the eastern property lines of Teal Lake Village lots at the end of Clear View Place and Seaway Place to Paradise Bay Road. The boundary then continues north across Paradise Bay Road along the eastern property lines of Bay View Village, Divisions 1 and 2 to Ludlow Bay Road. The boundary then turns NE along the SE side of Ludlow Bay Road to the end of Ludlow Beach Tracts #2. It then turns NW to the shoreline of Ludlow Bay.

The area described below is hereby established as a no shooting area as provided in Article I of this chapter:

The northern boundary begins at and includes the old and new Pleasant Harbor Marinas at mile marker #308 on Highway 101. The boundary then moves southwesterly along the highway to the first Duckabush River Bridge at mile marker #310. The boundary includes all of Black Point surrounded by Hood Canal, to the East of Highway 101 between the above referenced mile markers EXCEPT that portion along the southern boundary known as the Duckabush Flats which is along the Duckabush River Estuary below the shoreline bluff.

The area described below is hereby established as a no shooting area as provided in Article I of this chapter:

The area bordered on the north by an unnamed year around creek from the Hood Canal to the Bonneville power lines (the area under the power lines is to be included in the No Shooting zone); on the West by the far side of the power lines; the East by Hood Canal; and on the South by the Jefferson County line.

Beginning at the Southeast corner of Tax 1 as described under Parcel A in Auditor File Number 488422, Section 28 Township 26 North, Range 1 West Willamette Meridian;

Thence continuing along the extension of the South line of said Tax 1 to the centerline of said Payne Road and the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING;

Thence Westerly along the extension of the South line and along the South line of said Tax 1 to the Northeasterly corner of Tax 2 as described under Auditor’s File Number 422414;

Thence Southerly and Westerly along the Easterly and Southerly boundary of the parcel identified under said Auditor’s File Number 422414;

Thence continuing Westerly along the extension of the Southerly line of said parcel to the 0.0 low tide mark in Dabob Bay;

Thence Southerly along the 0.0 low tide mark of Dabob Bay, and Northerly and Easterly along the 0.0 low tide mark of Hood Canal to the point of intersection of the centerline of East Go-onna Beach Drive extended Easterly from the most Easterly point of said centerline located in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 27, Township 26 North, Range 1 West, Willamette Meridian, and said 0.0 low tide mark of Hood Canal;

Thence Westerly along said extension and the centerline of East Go-onna Beach Drive to the intersection of said East Go-onna Beach Drive with the centerline of Coyle Road;

Thence Northerly and Easterly along the centerline of Coyle Road to the intersection of said road with the centerline of Payne Road;

Thence Westerly and Southerly along the centerline of Payne Road to the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING;

EXCEPTING THEREFROM any portion of the following described parcels that lie within the above described bounds and that do not lie within the Northerly and Easterly 200 foot setback from the centerline of Zelatched Point Road, within the Northerly and Westerly 200 foot setback from the centerline Coyle Road or within the Southerly and Easterly 200 foot setback from the centerline Payne Road:

The South one half of the Southeast quarter of Section 28, Township 26 North, Range 1 West, Willamette Meridian, lying Southerly and Easterly of Payne Road;

The area described below is hereby established as a no shooting area as provided in Article I of this chapter.

All of the land lying within the following bounds:

Beginning at the intersection of the most northerly line of Tract A of the Plat of Woodridge Village Division 1 as recorded in Volume 7 Pages 47 through 50 of Plats, Jefferson County, state of Washington and the easterly margin of Teal Lake Road;

Thence northeasterly along said northerly line of said Tract A to the intersection of said line with the southerly margin of Crestview Drive as recorded in the Plat Amendment to Teal Lake Village Volume 6 Pages 186 through 197 of Plats, Jefferson County, state of Washington;

Thence in a straight line northeasterly to the intersection of said line with a point located at the intersection of the southerly boundary of Tract C of the said plat of Woodridge Village Division 1 and the northerly margin of said Crestview Drive;

Thence northerly along the northerly margin of said Crestview Drive, said margin also being the westerly boundary of said Tract C, to the southerly margin of Outlook Lane as recorded in said plat of Amendment to Teal Lake Village, said line also being the northerly line of said Tract C;

Thence easterly along the northerly boundary of said Tract C to the intersection of said line with the most easterly boundary of said plat of Amendment to Teal Lake Village;

Thence northerly along the easterly boundary of said plat of Amendment to Teal Lake Village to the intersection of said line with the southerly margin of Paradise Bay Road;

Thence along said southerly and westerly margin in an easterly and southerly direction to the intersection of said westerly margin of Paradise Bay Road with the North line of Section 22, Township 28 North, Range 1 East, W.M.;

Thence easterly along the North line of said Section 22 to the mean lower low water boundary of Hood Canal;

Thence southeasterly and easterly along said mean lower low water boundary to Point Hannon and the easterly mean lower low water boundary of Hood Canal in Section 25, Township 28 North, Range 1 East, W.M.;

Thence following the mean lower low water boundary of Hood Canal through Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, all lying in Township 28 North, Range 1 East, and Section 2, Township 27 North, Range 1 East, W.M., to the intersection with the northerly margin of State Route 104 with said mean lower low water boundary of Hood Canal;

Thence northwesterly along the north margin of State Route 104 to the intersection of said margin with the easterly margin of Paradise Bay Road;

Thence northerly and northwesterly along the easterly margin of Paradise Bay Road to the south line of Section 23, Township 28 North, Range 1 East, W.M.;

Thence westerly along said south line of Section 23 to the intersection with the westerly margin of Paradise Bay Road;

Thence southerly along the westerly margin of Paradise Bay Road to the intersection with the northerly margin of Andy Cooper Road;

Thence westerly along the northerly margin of said Andy Cooper Road to the intersection with the easterly margin of Teal Lake Road;

Thence northwesterly along the easterly margin of Teal Lake Road to the point of beginning of this description.

The area described below is hereby established as a no shooting area as provided in Article I of this chapter.

All of the following described lands, being a portion of Sections 34 and 35, Township 30 North, Range 1 West, W.M., and Sections 2 and 3, Township 29 North, Range 1 West, W.M., lying within the following bounds:

Beginning at the intersection of centerline of as-built Prospect Avenue extended Easterly to the westerly shoreline of Port Townsend Bay said point being the True Point of Beginning of this description;

Thence Westerly along the centerline of as-built Prospect Avenue to the intersection of said road with the centerline of State Route 19, also known as Airport-Cutoff Road;

Thence Southeasterly along the centerline of said State Route 19 to the intersection with the centerline of Irondale Road;

Thence Easterly along the centerline of Irondale Road to the intersection with the centerline of platted Market Street as said road is platted in the plat of Harrisburg recorded in Volume 1 Page 16 records of Jefferson County, Washington;

Thence Easterly along said centerline of Market Street to the centerline of Maple Street as platted on said plat;

Thence continuing Easterly along the centerline of platted Market Street lying North of Block 40 and Reserve A, as platted in the plat of Irondale, recorded in Volume 3 Page 5 records of Jefferson County, Washington and the extension of said Market Street to the Westerly shoreline of Port Townsend Bay;

Thence Northerly and Westerly, upland of the 0.0 low tide mark, within Port Townsend Bay to the True Point of Beginning.

The area described below is hereby established as a no shooting area as provided in Article I of this chapter.

That portion of Section 15, Township 28 North, Range 1 East, W.M., Jefferson County, Washington, encompassed within the following described boundary:

Beginning at the intersection of the South Section line of Section 15, Township 28 North, Range 1 East, W.M. Jefferson County, State of Washington and the centerline of a private road known as East Ludlow Ridge Road, as said private road is described in Auditor File Number 285012 records of Jefferson County, Washington; Thence Northerly along said private road centerline to the North line of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Sections 15, Township 28 North, Range 1 East; Thence Easterly along said North line of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Sections 15 to the Northwest corner of Government Lot 4; Thence Easterly along the North line of Government Lot 4 and the Easterly extension of the North line of Government Lot 4 to the 0.0 low tide mark within Hood Canal,

Thence Southerly along said 0.0 low tide mark within Hood Canal to the intersection of said 0.0 low tide mark with the Easterly extension of the South section line of said Section 15; Thence West along said Easterly extension of said South section line and the South section line of Section 15, Township 28 North, Range 1 East, to the intersection of said South line and the centerline of the private road known as East Ludlow Ridge Road said point being the point of beginning of this description.

TOGETHER WITH:

All of Section 10, Township 28 North, Range 1 East, W.M. Jefferson County, State of Washington.